'77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

The diesel couldn't get above 2600 RPM no matter what I tried. I think it just maxed out on HP at that RPM.

From what I've read, my boat weighs about 10,000 lbs. Plus at 11' 3" it has a wide beam for a 28 footer. She's shaped like a tugboat!

 

[G-Daddy]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Luhrs,
Backing is a problem with any single screw inboard - you must learn to compensate - and I am sure you did.

 

[sasto]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Luhrs,
Backing is a problem with any single screw inboard - you must learn to compensate - and I am sure you did.

Yup....sure is sometimes. But, that's where pilings can become friends. A little pivot off a piling won't hurt a battlewagon like the Luhrs.

BTW Bert. We were building a 36 Custom Sportfish in Sarasota, FL some years back. A couple of us went to the Luhrs facility in St Augustine, FL (?) and put in job applications and take a tour. We weren't looking for a job, we were stealing ideas and lay-up schedules.

When are we goin' fishin'?

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Sasto: That's a funny story. I believe when my boat was built in '77 Luhrs were made in NJ, where they started out.

I'm still making hose and wiring connections. I'm planning on the 1st. fireup with garden hose cooling on Saturday. If all goes well I'll schedule the launch for next week.

Bert

 

[Triton II]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

If all goes well I'll schedule the launch for next week.

Bert

Cool... looking forward to the re-splash!

TII

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

This has to be one of the most boring videos ever, but here:
http://youtu.be/OOWYz2MWf4c

I started the new 5.7 for the first time yesterday, and man is it smooth compared to the diesel! I'm checking with the marina to see if they can throw it in the water on Thurs or Friday.

Bert

 

[Jhudds]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Luhrs,

although I no longer have my luhrs, I am eagerly awaiting videos from you on your outings.

 

[G-Daddy]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Sounds like the 350 in our Sportcraft 252. Those things really do run sweet.

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Just a quick update to say I'm very happy with the 5.7 Chevy (Indmar actually). It has plenty of power and the fuel burn isn't bad at all. The weather has been crappy here in NJ the last 2 weekends (T-storms), but tomorrow looks like it might be better.

 

[Triton II]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Enjoy the boat! Let us know how fast she is!

TII

 

[Jhudds]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

OK been waiting on some videos and pics luhrs28, I wanna see here under way with that 350 in her!

 

[springer59]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Ok Burt ,I need to know how that 5.7 runs.That is one sweet power plant,and I need some stats on how much fun you are having now ! Give us an update,please.

 

[Jhudds]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Burt, I would also like some specs on its performance.

What I would like to know is performance, what is your speed (MPH/KNTS) at say 2500 rpm, 3000 rpm, and at WOT.

Also what do you calculate your fuel usage now.

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't checked in here in awhile. I'm very happy with the Indmar (Chevy) 5.7, but I'm afraid I don't have any numbers for you. My only instrumentation is a tach and temp/oil pressure gauges. This winter I plan to get a GPS so then I'll have some speed data.

Tomorrow will likely be my last boat trip for the season. Next week she has to be hauled out so I can winterize everything.

I wish you all good luck with your projects.

Bert

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Here's a link to a recent video:
http://youtu.be/6y6Eed2XCsw

 

[ricohman]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Epic thread. I'm a diesel fan and was kind of sad to see it go. But you seem to have some serious speed now and a new engine.
Great write up!

 

[Finnerty]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Thankyou Luhrs28, this thread has been very informative, with all the pics and videos and I believe you have saved me a lot of money! I've got a 1977 26' Tollycraft (30' LOA, 10' beam, 10,000 lbs) very similar to your boat with a 454 V-drive. I need to fix an oil leak in the main seal which means pulling the engine and have been considering a diesel conversion. Your thread nicely encapsulates all the issues faced in a gas to diesel conversion of a sub-30 ft cruiser. Your conclusion is what I have been trying to deny all along (as a diesel fan), stay with the gasser. BTW mine burns 4.5 gph at 6.5 knots 1800 rpm, 15 gph at 15 knots 3000 rpm, 20 gph at 18 knots 3400 rpm and does 24 knots at WOT 3800 (it's the original engine rated at 3800-4200 WOT). I'm running a 19X18 prop. Thanks again.

 

[Astral Blue]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Thankyou Luhrs28, this thread has been very informative, with all the pics and videos and I believe you have saved me a lot of money! I've got a 1977 26' Tollycraft (30' LOA, 10' beam, 10,000 lbs) very similar to your boat with a 454 V-drive. I need to fix an oil leak in the main seal which means pulling the engine and have been considering a diesel conversion. Your thread nicely encapsulates all the issues faced in a gas to diesel conversion of a sub-30 ft cruiser. Your conclusion is what I have been trying to deny all along (as a diesel fan), stay with the gasser. BTW mine burns 4.5 gph at 6.5 knots 1800 rpm, 15 gph at 15 knots 3000 rpm, 20 gph at 18 knots 3400 rpm and does 24 knots at WOT 3800 (it's the original engine rated at 3800-4200 WOT). I'm running a 19X18 prop. Thanks again.

Being a Diesel fan and having repowered my 28 foot Bayliner cabin cruiser with a Diesel engine, it is important to understand the limits and advantages of a Diesel engine before embarking on such a project. My repower was extensive in every respect -- as I was pulling out the 260 horsepower GM 350 and replacing it with a 50 horsepower Perkins 4.108 engine. I fully understood and accepted the limitations of this engine, but also knew the advantages would outweight the limitations. I like cruising at hull speed. In fact, I only cruise at hull speed. At my hull speed, my GM 350 would burn 4 gallons an hour. I cut that fuel burn by over 50 percent with my repower.

Diesel engines in general (with the exception of high performance Diesels, which are in a completely different category) are best known for delivering high torque on a consistent basis. The horsepower to weight ratio is a disadvantage -- as my engine weighs about 450 pounds. However, it is not designed to deliver the horsepower that a gasoline engine does. Rather, it is designed to reliably delivery high torque with low horsepower and do so constantly. This is ideal for hull speeds and slightly above. However, my boat will never plane with this engine, and I'm completely OK with that.

 

[Cellotbp]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Hey Luhrs im so for getting in this so late and years Later, But im so intrigued and excited. Im literally reading every post like this is happening in this moment. I have a 28ft Bayliner trophy here in the Bahamas That has a volvo penta AQ 260 (cevy small Block 350) With Aq 280 outdrive. I dont really know much about engines or rebuilds but i would like to go diesel, and as cheap as i can because gas down here is 6 dollars a gallon.So im looking at what you did here and im really thinking about trying to do the same. im no mechanic but im quite crafty with my hands and love a project. ? do you think what you did with your 6.2L would work with my 280 outdrive if i added a B/W adapter to it? and if you dont mind what was the overall cost of your complete engine conversion.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '77 Luhrs 28 ft. diesel repower SPLASHED!

Luhrs28 hasn't been here in over a year and this thread has been inactive for almost that long. Starting a thread of your own is the best thing to do and don't post to threads that have been inactive for 90 or more days. Thanks and review the forum rules.